🎶 Sergeant Steel
🌎Kronstorf, Austria
📀Golden Absolution
® Metropolis Records
📅 16/10/2026
There are some things that, no matter how many years go by, will never go out of fashion. Classic hard rock, the orthodox kind that emerged during the ’70s and ’80s (or even a little earlier), is one of them. Especially as long as there are bands like Austrian SERGEANT STEEL, who may have been around for less than 20 years but sound as if they could rival DEEP PURPLE (sacrilege, I know, but you get what I mean) in experience and miles on the road.
With their new album, “Golden Absolution”, due out in October (unless some global catastrophe strikes us thanks to the lunatics we seem to be surrounded by), SERGEANT STEEL prove once again that they are an incredibly entertaining and reliable band. They know the secrets of classic hard rock and, at the same time, manage to serve the genre without ever sounding outdated. Infectious grooves, powerful guitars and choruses that demand to be sung out loud in any situation — from the bathroom to a packed arena alongside hundreds of other old-school metalheads. It is no coincidence that, for the first time in their history, SERGEANT STEEL chose to record the songs live in the studio. This approach gives the ten compositions greater immediacy, naturalness and cohesion, while preserving much of the energy of a live performance.
From the very first second of “1000 Lives”, it becomes obvious that the guitars will play a leading role, while the groovy rhythm will have your head instinctively moving along. “Back on the Track” is the song the band chose as the album’s first single and, as they have stated themselves, it was also the starting point for the entire project. An absolutely anthemic and addictive chorus, a very old-school hard rock guitar solo and drums that provide the song with its trademark groove make this one of the album’s most instantly memorable moments.
With a playful attitude, SERGEANT STEEL introduce several country touches into “Teeny Meany”, raising the fun factor considerably. At the same time, they prove that they are not afraid to experiment without drifting away from their core hard rock identity. “Hold Your Fire” is one of the album’s finest tracks. The children’s choir in the intro creates a distinctive atmosphere before the composition gradually builds in intensity and leads into yet another characteristic and highly melodic chorus.
Halfway through the album comes the obligatory ballad, “Lonely Streets of Broken Hearts”, featuring a subtle jazz influence that transports us to an American pub in the 1960s: low lighting, small tables occupied by couples in love, illuminated by tiny retro lamps, and a spotlight falling on the guitarist and singer on stage. Even though the song is about broken hearts, there is something warm and cinematic about its atmosphere.
The romantic mood does not last long, as “Fool For Your Lovin” gets us back on our feet from the very first moment and forces us to sway along to its upbeat chorus. The mid-tempo “Catch the Train” begins with the sound of a train whistle and, with its more straightforward rhythm, stands out from the previous tracks while maintaining the same playful spirit.
“Stay With Me” moves into more traditional rock territory, with powerful guitars and an energetic, highly cinematic performance by the excellent Phil Vanderkill. Shortly before the finale, the dreamy guitar intro of “Wireless” transports us once again to another era, gradually developing into a mid-tempo chorus without any major changes in pace, with the emphasis placed firmly on atmosphere and melody.
Finally, “Dying Love” opens with keyboards reminiscent of a church organ, before the rest of the instruments gradually enter the picture. The composition eventually builds towards another addictive and uplifting chorus, leaving the listener with the feeling that the album has come to an end exactly as it should.
Lyrically, SERGEANT STEEL focus on the everyday struggles of life, interpersonal relationships, breakups, loss, as well as a society that is becoming increasingly faster, noisier and more unfair. What is particularly interesting is that, despite dealing with themes that are often anything but optimistic, the band chooses to wrap them in music full of energy, positivity and a genuine sense of fun.
“Golden Absolution” is an album that works best when shared. It is the kind of release that creates a need for company, loud music and, ideally, a live environment where its choruses can be sung by dozens or even hundreds of voices. And perhaps this is the message hidden behind the album’s overall aesthetic: no matter how difficult, fast-paced and demanding everyday life becomes, hardships are easier to overcome when we do not have to carry them alone.
★ 9/10
✍🏻 Kostas Boudoukos
